We just launched Joanna Pineda’s book, When It Mattered Most, and it became an Amazon Best Seller in multiple categories in under 24 hours.
Not only that. On launch day, it already had 10 reviews.
This isn’t magic. It’s strategy.
If you’re planning a book launch, here’s exactly what we did, and how you can do the same.
About the Book
When It Mattered Most: The Untold Story of How Associations Protected Professions and Saved Industries During the Pandemic tells 24 stories of trade and professional associations that stepped up when the COVID-19 shutdown hit in March 2020. Joanna hosts the Associations Thrive podcast, and the book grew out of her interviews with association leaders.
The Results
- Amazon Best Seller in multiple categories in under 24 hours
- 10 reviews on launch day
- #1 Best Seller in three categories and #1 New Release in two by the end of the three-day launch
The 7 Moves Behind the Launch
1. We picked a launch date that served the reader
Joanna’s in-person launch party was set for the Washington, D.C. area. We moved the launch date a week earlier, to October 8, so guests could order their copies before the event.
Your takeaway: Choose your date around the moments that drive sales, such as an event, a speaking engagement or a season your readers care about.
2. We finished early
The final manuscript was uploaded to Amazon Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP) by September 1, more than five weeks before launch. That left time to review every detail before launch week.
Your takeaway: Your launch can’t start until your book is ready. Build a buffer between your final file and launch day.
3. We built an early reader team
About six weeks before launch, we put out a call for advance readers. Readers signed up through a simple link and received a free watermarked copy in early September, which gave them about a month to read before launch day.
That’s why the book had 10 reviews on launch day. Early readers were ready to share honest reviews as soon as the book went live.
Your takeaway: Give early readers enough time to finish the book. Ask for honest reviews, never only positive ones, and follow Amazon’s review guidelines.
4. We priced the eBook to remove friction
The eBook was priced at $0.99 for the first three days of launch. A low price makes it easy for people to say yes, and focusing purchases into a short window helps a book climb Amazon’s rankings.
Your takeaway: A short launch price isn’t about earning less. It’s about concentrating your readers’ buying into the days that count most.
5. We created buzz before the book was available
We made a teaser video announcing “Coming October 8, 2026” and planned a “Now Available” version to share once the book was live.
Your takeaway: Tell people when your book is coming and give them a reason to mark the date.
6. We lined up visibility beyond Amazon
Joanna booked at least four podcast appearances to talk about the book, and her in-person launch party brought her community together around the release.
Your takeaway: Amazon rewards momentum, but momentum starts with people. Podcasts, events and your own network bring readers to your book page.
7. We kept going after launch day
After the three-day campaign, we set up Joanna’s Amazon Author Central account and submitted the book for a Kirkus review. We’re also creating promotional videos with Joanna to keep the book in front of new readers.
Your takeaway: Launch week is the start, not the finish. Plan what happens in the weeks after.
“The team even helped me develop an early reader and promoting strategy. My book was #1 in multiple categories for many straight days and I’m just getting started.”
Your Launch Timeline at a Glance
Here’s how this launch was spaced out. Use it as a starting point for your own plan.
- 8 to 10 weeks out: Finalize your manuscript and choose a launch date around a meaningful moment.
- 6 to 7 weeks out: Upload your final files and recruit your early reader team.
- About 5 weeks out: Send advance copies so readers have time to finish.
- 2 to 4 weeks out: Share your teaser, book podcast interviews and plan your launch price.
- Launch week: Activate your early readers, share your “Now Available” message and focus sales into the first few days.
- After launch: Set up Author Central, keep earning reviews and keep promoting.
Free Download
The Complete Publishing Checklist. A step-by-step roadmap from finished manuscript to published book, including your pre-launch, launch and post-launch plan.
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Want a Launch Like This for Your Book?
Our Book Launch Support packages start at US$1,800 and include KDP implementation, so your launch is planned, set up and supported by the team behind this result.
FAQs: Planning a Bestselling Book Launch
What does it mean to be an Amazon Best Seller?
Amazon ranks books by recent sales within each category. When a book reaches #1 in a category, Amazon shows a Best Seller badge for that category on its page.
How many reviews should a book have on launch day?
There’s no magic number. What matters is that reviews come from genuine readers. An early reader team makes it possible to have honest reviews on day one, as Joanna did with 10.
Do I need a big audience for a strong launch?
No, but you do need a plan. A focused launch window, an engaged early reader team and a few visibility opportunities, like podcasts or an event, can do more than a large but passive following.
Can The Publishing Pad run my book launch?
Yes. Our Book Launch Support packages start at US$1,800. If you’re still choosing how to publish, see our publishing packages.